1.Mechanism of benzoapyrene-induced mitochondrial DNA damage mediated by PDX-1/TFAM pathway
Rong CUI ; Yi CHENG ; Li WANG ; Xiaohe ZHAI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):575-581
Background Previous studies have found that exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) can lead to functional impairment of the human pancreas. Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX-1) may play a role in regulating mitochondrial function. It is hypothesized that BaP exposure may interfere with PDX-1 expression in human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (H6C7), thereby affecting mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). This process could induce mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, disrupt pancreatic development and function, and elevate the risk of diabetes onset. Objective To investigate the mechanism of BaP-induced mtDNA damage through disruption of the PDX-1/TFAM pathway in a H6C7 cell model. Methods A H6C7 cell injury model was established using different concentrations of BaP. Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). After 24 h of BaP exposure (5,10, and 20 μmol·L−1), cell morphological and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were observed via confocalmicroscopy, and PDX-1/TFAM protein expression levels were assessed. Bioinformatics analysis combined with dual-luciferase reporter assays was used to confirm PDX-1 directly targeting the TFAM promoter. Following PDX-1 overexpression or silencing in BaP treated cells, flow cytometry was used to evaluate viability and apoptosis, while Western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) measured PDX-1/TFAM expression and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-cn). Results The cell injury model demonstrated that, compared with the control group, BaP exposure reduced cell viability, disrupted membrane integrity, induced nuclear fragmentation, and decreased MMP. Protein expression levels of PDX-1 and TFAM were significantly downregulated in the 10 and 20 μmol·L−1 groups (P<0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that PDX-1 overexpression upregulated TFAM levels. Flow cytometry revealed that PDX-1 overexpression significantly reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.001), whereas PDX-1 silencing increased apoptosis rate (P<0.001). Compared with the BaP-only group, BaP+PDX-1 overexpression elevated TFAM protein and mRNA expression as well as mtDNA-cn (P<0.01), while BaP+siRNA-PDX-1 suppressed these parameters (P<0.001). Conclusion BaP exposure promotes apoptosis in human pancreatic cells. PDX-1, a key gene in pancreatic development, regulates the expression of TFAM, a core regulator of mitochondrial function. This interaction triggers changes in MMP and mtDNA-cn, activates the PDX-1/TFAM/mtDNA axis, and ultimately leads to pancreatic cell injury.
2.Mechanism of benzoapyrene-induced mitochondrial DNA damage mediated by PDX-1/TFAM pathway
Rong CUI ; Yi CHENG ; Li WANG ; Xiaohe ZHAI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):575-581
Background Previous studies have found that exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) can lead to functional impairment of the human pancreas. Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX-1) may play a role in regulating mitochondrial function. It is hypothesized that BaP exposure may interfere with PDX-1 expression in human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (H6C7), thereby affecting mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). This process could induce mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, disrupt pancreatic development and function, and elevate the risk of diabetes onset. Objective To investigate the mechanism of BaP-induced mtDNA damage through disruption of the PDX-1/TFAM pathway in a H6C7 cell model. Methods A H6C7 cell injury model was established using different concentrations of BaP. Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). After 24 h of BaP exposure (5,10, and 20 μmol·L−1), cell morphological and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were observed via confocalmicroscopy, and PDX-1/TFAM protein expression levels were assessed. Bioinformatics analysis combined with dual-luciferase reporter assays was used to confirm PDX-1 directly targeting the TFAM promoter. Following PDX-1 overexpression or silencing in BaP treated cells, flow cytometry was used to evaluate viability and apoptosis, while Western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) measured PDX-1/TFAM expression and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-cn). Results The cell injury model demonstrated that, compared with the control group, BaP exposure reduced cell viability, disrupted membrane integrity, induced nuclear fragmentation, and decreased MMP. Protein expression levels of PDX-1 and TFAM were significantly downregulated in the 10 and 20 μmol·L−1 groups (P<0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that PDX-1 overexpression upregulated TFAM levels. Flow cytometry revealed that PDX-1 overexpression significantly reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.001), whereas PDX-1 silencing increased apoptosis rate (P<0.001). Compared with the BaP-only group, BaP+PDX-1 overexpression elevated TFAM protein and mRNA expression as well as mtDNA-cn (P<0.01), while BaP+siRNA-PDX-1 suppressed these parameters (P<0.001). Conclusion BaP exposure promotes apoptosis in human pancreatic cells. PDX-1, a key gene in pancreatic development, regulates the expression of TFAM, a core regulator of mitochondrial function. This interaction triggers changes in MMP and mtDNA-cn, activates the PDX-1/TFAM/mtDNA axis, and ultimately leads to pancreatic cell injury.
3.A cohort study on the impact of stressful life events on social activity participation among middle-aged and elderly adults
Yujing ZHANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yuming ZHANG ; Xuchao REN ; Siyi ZUO ; Ziqi ZHANG ; Linyuan CHENG ; Zijie ZHAI ; Pan XU ; Dong LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):60-65
Objective:To analyze the impact of stressful life events on the social activity participation of middle-aged and elderly adults in China, providing a scientific basis for improving their quality of life.Methods:This study was conducted in January 2024.Data were derived from the China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS) conducted from 2011 to 2020. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Ordered Logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the association between stressful life events experienced over the past decade and the level of social activity participation, with stratified analysis by age, gender, and place of residence.Results:A total of 10 838 middle-aged and elderly adults were included in this study. The proportions of individuals with no social activity participation, low social activity participation, and high social activity participation were 52.07%(5 643/10 838), 24.21%(2 624/10 838), and 23.72%(2 571/10 838), respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health-related behaviors, individuals who experienced stressful life events were 15.2% less likely to participate in social activities compared to those who did not ( RR=0.848, 95% CI=0.786-0.915).Stratified analysis revealed that the decrease in the likelihood of social activity participation following stressful life events was significantly greater in urban residents than that in rural residents ( Pinteraction=0.004). Conclusion:Experiencing stressful life events over the past decade may reduce the level of social activity participation among middle-aged and elderly adults. It is recommended to strengthen psychological counseling for this population and encourage active social engagement.
4.Preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion in breast cancer based on multimodal radiomics model combining MRI and digital mammography
Ke MAO ; Xiaoyang ZHAI ; Yaning DONG ; Sijia CHENG ; Yaqi ZANG ; Fei JIA ; Dongming HAN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(8):1319-1323
Objective To investigate the value of multimodal model integrating digital mammography(MG)and MRI radiomics features for preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion(LVI)status in breast cancer.Methods The clinical and imaging data from 336 patients with pathologically confirmed invasive breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed and randomly divided into a training group(235 cases)and a test group(101 cases)according to the ratio of 7∶3.Feature dimensionality reduction was carried out by Pearson correlation analysis followed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression.Radiomics models were constructed based on MG craniocaudal(CC),dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE),T2 WI,and integrated MRI sequences;a multimodal model was further developed by incorporating clinical high-risk factors.The predictive efficiency of each model was evaluated by plotting receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The ROC curve analysis showed that the multimodal model performed the best predictive efficiency,with area under the curve(AUC)of 0.989 and 0.861,accuracy of 0.949 and 0.782,sensitivity of 0.923 and 0.828,and specificity of 0.962 and 0.764 in the training group and test group respectively.Conclusion The multimodal model,integrating MG and MRI radiomics features,show optimal performance and can be served as a preoperative prediction of LVI status in breast cancer.
5.A cohort study on the impact of stressful life events on social activity participation among middle-aged and elderly adults
Yujing ZHANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yuming ZHANG ; Xuchao REN ; Siyi ZUO ; Ziqi ZHANG ; Linyuan CHENG ; Zijie ZHAI ; Pan XU ; Dong LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):60-65
Objective:To analyze the impact of stressful life events on the social activity participation of middle-aged and elderly adults in China, providing a scientific basis for improving their quality of life.Methods:This study was conducted in January 2024.Data were derived from the China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS) conducted from 2011 to 2020. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Ordered Logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the association between stressful life events experienced over the past decade and the level of social activity participation, with stratified analysis by age, gender, and place of residence.Results:A total of 10 838 middle-aged and elderly adults were included in this study. The proportions of individuals with no social activity participation, low social activity participation, and high social activity participation were 52.07%(5 643/10 838), 24.21%(2 624/10 838), and 23.72%(2 571/10 838), respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health-related behaviors, individuals who experienced stressful life events were 15.2% less likely to participate in social activities compared to those who did not ( RR=0.848, 95% CI=0.786-0.915).Stratified analysis revealed that the decrease in the likelihood of social activity participation following stressful life events was significantly greater in urban residents than that in rural residents ( Pinteraction=0.004). Conclusion:Experiencing stressful life events over the past decade may reduce the level of social activity participation among middle-aged and elderly adults. It is recommended to strengthen psychological counseling for this population and encourage active social engagement.
6.Analysis of evaluation results for the implementation of Specification for testing of quality control in medical X-ray diagnostic equipment (WS 76-2020)
Ling ZHANG ; Weidong ZHU ; Hezheng ZHAI ; Tingting YE ; Tinggui HE ; Wanyan CHENG ; Cheng ZHANG ; Chunxu YIN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):559-565
Objective To evaluate the overall implementation of the WS 76-2020 standard in Anhui Province, China and identify and analyze the factors affecting the implementation of the standard, and to provide a basis for the effective implementation and revision of WS 76-2020. Methods According to the requirements of the Notice of the Department of Regulations in National Health Commission on the 2024 assessment of implementation of mandatory standards, an evaluation of radiological health standards was organized and conducted in Anhui Province. The evaluation involved the three dimensions of standard implementation status, technical content of the standards, and effectiveness of standard implementation, with subsequent data analysis. Results The total evaluation score for WS 76-2020 was 87.83 points, indicating that the standard effectively guided the quality control testing of medical X-ray diagnostic equipment. However, stability testing was either underutilized or not performed in practice. The qualified rate of X-ray diagnostic equipment in the province was 94.26%, with equipment performance issues identified as the leading contributor to non-qualified instances. Expert discussions highlighted recommendations particularly concerning the operability, applicability, and scientific rigor of the standard. Conclusion It is recommended to strengthen the dissemination and training for the standard, promote medical institutions to voluntarily conduct stability testing, provide supplementary clarifications or revisions for problematic clauses, and standardize quality control testing techniques for radiological diagnostic equipment.
7.Analyzing the heart-oriented view of the treatment of mental illness in Synopsis of Golden Chamber based on the theory of five-spirit-viscera
ZOU Peng ; Kai CHENG ; Minlong XIA ; Menghan LI ; Shuxian WANG ; Hui KONG ; Yan ZHAO ; Changming ZHAI ; Fang LU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):495-500
Mental state is an important part of the normal life activities of the human body, and it is also the most external expression and the most easily obtained information of the physical condition. The normal activities of the mind depend on the normal operation of the viscera, qi, and blood, and are a unified whole that prospers together and suffers together. The theory of the five-spirit-viscera in the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic revealed that the normal mental activities of the human body were dominated by the five internal organs, that is, the five internal organs were the body and the five spirits were the function. And it highlighted the viewpoint that the five internal organs store the spirits and are actually one. The heart governs the spirit and belongs to the four internal organs. On this basis, Synopsis of Golden Chamber used the internal organs to diagnose and treat mental diseases, integrating the theory of the five spirits into it, forming a unique method of diagnosis and treatment with the heart as the leading factor and regulating the qi and blood of the four internal organs. It identified the pathogenesis of diseases such as pathogenic crying, lily disease, and hysteria from five levels: heart deficiency and weak qi, heart-lung disharmony, heart-liver disharmony, the heart of the loss of the spleen nourishment, and disharmony between heart and kidney. The treatment was mainly to replenish the deficiency of the viscera and eliminate the pathogens, reflecting the characteristics of regulating the mind and calming the four internal organs. This unique view on diagnosis and treatment has profoundly influenced the diagnosis and treatment theories of mental illnesses by later doctors, and is of great significance to the current clinical treatment of such illnesses.
8.Association of sleep and screen time with coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom among primary and secondary school students
ZHAI Shuang, MIAO Shenghao, SHI Mengxing, ZHANG Yang, QI Jiarui, LI Jiaan, CHENG Pei, ZHANG Juan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(11):1640-1644
Objective:
To explore the prevalence of screening myopia and depressive symptom among primary and secondary school students in Xuzhou, and to explore the association of sleep and screen time on the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom, so as to provide scientific references for developing intervention strategies to address the development of myopia and promote mental health in children and adolescents.
Methods:
From September to October 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 6 605 students in grade 4 to 12 in 2 urban and 2 suburban districts in Xuzhou. The students health condition and influencing factors questionnaire were used to assess students basic information, sleep time, and screen time. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess primary and secondary school students depressive symptom.Unaided distance visual acuity examination was conducted, and refractive assessment was performed using an automated refractometer without cycloplegic agents. The Chi-square test and multiple Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association of sleep and screen time with the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom.
Results:
The detection rates of screening myopia, depressive symptom, and screening myopia and depressive symptoms co morbidity among primary and secondary school students in Xuzhou were 60.35%, 4.45% and 18.61% respectively. Results from the multinomial Logistic regression analysis, using the healthy group as the reference and after adjusting for confounding factors, showed that students with insufficient sleep duration were more likely to have depressive symptom ( OR=1.57, 95%CI =1.08-2.27) and the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom ( OR=1.85, 95%CI =1.45-2.36). Students with daily screen time≥2 h were more likely to have depressive symptom only ( OR=1.41, 95%CI =1.04-1.93) and the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptom ( OR=1.31, 95%CI =1.06-1.61). Further stratified analysis based on sufficient and insufficient sleep duration revealed that only in the insufficient sleep duration group, students with daily screen time≥2 h had an increased risk of depressive symptom only ( OR=1.49, 95%CI =1.07-2.07) and the coexistence of screening positive myopia and depressive symptom ( OR=1.40, 95%CI =1.11- 1.77 ) (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Primary and secondary school students with insufficient sleep duration and daily screen time≥2 h have higher risks of depressive symptoms and the coexistence of screening myopia and depressive symptoms. It is recommended to ensure adequate sleep duration and limit screen time for children and adolescents.
9.Epidemiology and management patterns of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in China.
Wanmu XIE ; Yongpei YU ; Qiang HUANG ; Xiaoyan YAN ; Yuanhua YANG ; Changming XIONG ; Zhihong LIU ; Jun WAN ; Sugang GONG ; Lan WANG ; Cheng HONG ; Chenghong LI ; Jean-François RICHARD ; Yanhua WU ; Jun ZOU ; Chen YAO ; Zhenguo ZHAI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(8):1000-1002
10.Internal radiation exposure among nuclear medicine workers involved in iodine-131 therapy in Hunan Province, China
Junzhe PENG ; Xiaoliang LI ; Zipo ZHAI ; Donghui CHEN ; Yanmeng CHENG
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(6):701-704
Objective To analyze the development of nuclear medicine services in Hunan Province and to assess internal radiation doses among the nuclear medicine workers (NMWs) involved in iodine-131 radionuclide therapy. Methods Based on a survey of nuclear medicine institutions in Hunan Province, a total of 61 NMWs from seven hospitals providing iodine-131 therapy for thyroid cancer were selected as the study subjects by convenience sampling method. Thyroidal iodine-131 activity was measured using a portable gamma spectrometer to estimate internal dose and total annual effective dose. Results A total of 47 nuclear medicine institutions were reported in Hunan Province by 2023, most of which were public and tertiary hospitals, accounting for 38. Iodine-131 therapy was performed in 30 institutions, including nine for thyroid cancer. A total of nine participants had detectable thyroidal iodine-131 activity among 61 workers involved in iodine-131 thyroid cancer treatment, with the detection rate of 14.8%. Their internal radiation annual committed effective doses ranged from 0.100 to 1.584 mSv, with a mean of 0.499 mSv and median of 0.426 mSv. Except for one cleaner, the remaining eight physicians and nurses had the total annual effective doses ranging from 0.311 to 3.007 mSv, with a mean of 1.305 mSv, all below the annual dose limit of 20.000 mSv among radiation workers specified in national standard. Conclusion Internal exposure to iodine-131 among the NMWs should not be neglected. Standardized procedures and strengthened internal dose monitoring are recommended.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail